Joshua Tarling, the rider of the Ineos-Grenadiers team, stole the leader’s blue jersey from Belgian sprinter Jasper Philipsen, winner the day before the 1st stage, after his victory on the 2nd stage of the Tour du Benelux. The world junior time trial champion last year won the 13.6 kilometer time trial on Thursday in Sluis in the Netherlands. He was 14 seconds ahead of Belgian Tim Wellens. His compatriot Yves Lampaert took third place.
“I panicked a bit when I saw my time halfway through. It was not according to the original plan. I therefore pressed harder on the pedals”, explained the winner. “The key was to make a difference in the second part of the layout which was less favorable to sprinters,” added Tarling after his first success in a World Tour level race.
Friday, the 3rd stage could be decisive for the final victory. Over 171 km between Aalter and Geraardsbergen, the riders will face some of the difficulties of the Tour of Flanders, the Berendries, the Bosberg and the Mur de Geraardsbergen in particular.
